Chevy59.net

Destination Terror, 1974

2013-01-31T06:45:00.000-08:00

Some just can't let go of a good idea...

I wrote about auto-pilot cars in "Destination Terror, 1956" back in 2009. Who would have thought I would find another equally dangerous rendition of our future, but 18 years newer?

A bubble top, a magnetic road, remote control, and a card game behind the ~~wheel~~ control pod thingy. The future is bright for them, as they hurdle toward pending doom.

Cuban Wings

2012-06-14T10:27:00.001-07:00

IMG_3545, originally uploaded by kashoff.

I sometimes think these old American cars on the streets of Havana Cuba will never die. Mechanics are managing to keep them all alive with a blend of ingenuity available parts. Sometimes these cars end up with carburetors of Soviet trucks, and hydraulic brakes are pumped full of home-brew brake fluid.

Nothing short of amazing that they are on the road after five decades of US Embargo.

Till The Wheels Fall Off, Literally

2012-02-13T14:02:00.000-08:00

Guest writer on Chevy59.com today: Neil Ostrander talks about the important steps in assuring that your Used Car buy is a good one. Check it out HERE.

307 Chevy - The Forgotten Small Block

2012-02-08T13:29:00.000-08:00

Photo courtesy of Dive Shop Dave

What's the first Small Block Chevy size that pops into your head? Most people would say "350" since there seem to be more of them in the U.S. than residents of Texas. The 400 "mighty mouse" continues to be sought after, even though one hasn't been made since the early 1980s. Some will say the "302," known for its high-end power and legendary status as the heart of the original Z/28. Others are enamored with the 283 as a staple of Chevrolet during the Jet Age, or the 327 which powered the first Camaros to popularity. We still hear about thousands of 305-powered Z/28s from the 1980s still plying the streets of America, an engine that is hard to kill. There are also the lesser known sizes - 262, 265, 267, and hybrids like the 383 or the 377. Which one are we missing here?

The 307, aka "wheezer," "boat anchor" "emissions motor."

When I was in high school, the 307 was a joke. Anyone who was anyone had a 350, and 307s were for those not savvy enough to swap engines. But as it turns out, the lowly 307 was a decent engine when cared for (or not). I have personal experience with this, and I'd own another in an instant if it was put on my porch.

Think of the 307 as a "factory hybrid," which used the bore of the 283 and the crankshaft of the 327. It was an emissions-worthy replacement for the 283. It never made more than 200 hp in stock form, but it did have one thing going for it:

Bulletprooficity

The 307 was one of those unusual engines that was built heavy down low and light up top. It had light pistons and a huge journal size that could withstand a lot of basic abuse. A dirt track racer I know used countless 307s in his race cars because of their bulletproofiness. I drove a 1970 GMC with a clapped out 307; it started every day and probably shouldn't have. I drove a `72 Chevelle wagon with one - employing minimal maintenance - until the odometer read 175,000 miles; a traffic accident totaled the car, which means we would never get to know just how many miles it would go.

When I was in high school this engine was called a "boat anchor" because it didn't make the same kind of power as a 327 or a 350. Now, as the supplies of those motors are to dry up, opportunists are taking a second look at this smaller small block. The future of the 307 depends on a few things:

Nostalgia - Who would have thought in the 1970s that the 392 Hemi would be anything but a boat anchor engine? They're big, they're heavy, and not at all efficient. But they look awesome. And how about Caddy 472s and 500s? Those engines are filled with mountains of torque and 70s good looks. They make a commanding appearance under a hood now after living out of the limelight for nearly 20 years. In recent years a fair share of these unique engines have found their way between the frame rails of countless street rods and customs because of their overwhelming appearance. The day will come when the original Small Block Chevy - any old school SBC, and in the family to which the 307 belongs - will be a nice "nostalgic" addition to the new crop of customs that are built in the 21st century. The 400s, 350s and 327s will get used up first, followed by the 283s, and then by the 307s when the supplies of all the more popular engines dry up. Mark my words.
Emissions - There may come a time when the 307 - plus cousins 267 and 305 - will be in demand for emissions reasons. These engines may not make the same kind of power, but they also use less fuel and put out less smog when built correctly. They have longer strokes and smaller bores, which make for less emissions and more torque than horsepower (not necessarily a bad thing when hauling a trailer). All the 307s I've driven have been fairly good on gas, considering the type of vehicles they were hauling around.
Parts Availability - Ever try to find pistons for a 262? They're darn hard to find. Today most of the aftermarket parts for Small Block Chevys are for 400s, 350s, 327s, 305s, and 283s. The orphan engines like the 262 and 267 are either left out or have parts prices that are higher than the engines that have more demand. 307s are one of those engines that could go either way. As the other SBCs from the past get used up or harder to find, the 307 may be easier to outfit with parts because there will be more people using it. Right now the avid 307 enthusiast can get "rebuilder" pistons but nothing high performance unless extra money is thrown to a custom job.

Yep. Bulletprooficity. My word, my experience, and probably what will keep the 307 alive for another generation.

1965 Chevy Impala at Half Moon Bay Airport

2011-12-09T08:43:00.001-08:00

Don't You Fall, originally uploaded by Thomas Hawk.

So sweet...

Courtesy of Thomas Hawk's roving lens. I can't get enough of *any* `65 Chevy.

Saturday Evening Post ad Sept. 12, 1959

2011-11-19T19:04:00.000-08:00

Back when International made a full line of trucks, nothing could stop a Cornbinder. These tough rigs would run long after their workdays were done. I owned a `59 A-100 in the early 1990s that was completely reliable until an overloaded bed of firewood snapped an axle in a rough snowy mountain pass.

I miss that old International even today.

Thanks to Jana Robertson for finding this great piece of history!

For Sale at The Swap Meet

2011-10-09T06:48:00.001-07:00

1959 Chevy Impala, originally uploaded by KDavidClark.

Typically I prefer taking pictures of cars with their hoods down, but when it comes to `59 Impalas at shows it's pretty hard to get them. In fact, I had to stand nearly five minutes to get a picture of this car without any people. It attracted them like crazy.

When I downloaded the shot to my computer, I was surprised at how the clouds seems to fan out over the car. The slightly wide angle of the Canon S70 seemed to stretch things a bit, to the point that it gave the scene a lot more character than it had when I took it.

I'm good with that, especially after standing as long as I did!

Streamlined Thunderbird

2011-09-22T06:21:00.000-07:00

1964 Thunderbirds are slick enough when they're stock. But check out what happens when an enterprising rodder streamlines one!

This Kentucky car was photographed by Geezer94 at the Stephens Pipe and Steel car show in 2010.

I especially like the bubble top and fins. They emphasize the already cool lines of the Sixties Thunderbird.

View the entire slideshow from the car show here. Thanks to Geezer94 for these pix!

Gasser El Camino

2011-09-18T09:17:00.001-07:00

Gasser El Camino, originally uploaded by KDavidClark.

I love gassers.

They are so over-the-top and outrageous. They also embody the spirit of the 1960s, when the desire to go fast outweighed the technology to support it. Backyard tricks prevailed, and those tall straight-axled monsters rules the tracks during that decade.

This 1960 El Camino was at a car show in Seattle's Wedgewood neighborhood a couple weeks ago. It was big-block powered, and carried the straight axle out of a gasser that had made the NW circuit for many years. While not completed, it was still awesome. I had a `60 Camino years ago, and it made me think of buying another one.

For more pictures from that show, check out my link at Intersect:

https://intersect.com/stories/0s7jkKcfK7zt

Via Flickr:
Taken with a Minolta Himatic AF2 camera and Rite-Aid 400 film.

Black Impala

2011-08-08T04:18:00.001-07:00

Another good-looking `59 Chevy, courtesy of Doug Patrick. This Impala all original with 348-4 barrel,factory AC, and Powerglide. Love the black paint!

Tri-Power Two-Tone

2011-08-08T03:54:00.000-07:00

Doug Patrick owns this `59 El Camino equipped with a 348 Tri-Power. It's seen here at one of his local shows. The colors are Crown Sapphire and White. Check out those white walls; you could land a 747 on those things :)

Nice!

Big Block `59 El Camino

2011-08-06T07:45:00.001-07:00

An Amazing Resoration. 1959 Chevy El Camino Packing Heat Under the Hood, originally uploaded by trail trekker.

"Packin' Heat" pretty much sums it up. As an owner of a Rat-motored `59, I can say this car is filled with thrill, and truckloads of torque. The owner is probably well-versed in replacing u-joints and carrier bearings; I've had to do two sets myself.

I love the color and the love the stance. Not so much love for the lack of trim down the side; it makes the flanks look boring to me.

But it's still a stunner!

`59 Impala in Malmby Sweden

2011-07-24T06:40:00.001-07:00

Power hotrod reunion, originally uploaded by Fat46.

From the 2011 Power HotRod Reunion. Even in overcast skies this thing is glowing. Love the red paint.

1957 Dodge in Cuba

2011-04-07T15:00:00.001-07:00

ARCHIVO CUBA 2007, originally uploaded by sabinofb.

Found this awesome picture of a 1957 Lancer Sedan, straight from the streets of Cuba. The island nation is a time machine of US-built vehicles that were on the island before the 1959 Cuban Revolution.

This car appears to be in very good condition, considering its age and the scarce supply of parts that would exist for a 50+ year old car in an embargoed nation. Amazing any of these even exist at all these days.

Crushed Cars - 1971

2011-03-18T21:15:00.001-07:00

46-569, originally uploaded by Nick DeWolf Photo Archive.

This photo was taken by Nick DeWolf in the San Francisco Bay area about 40 years ago. Of course everything in the stack was only about 10 years old then. But if each of these cars had survived, just imagine the value of this pile.

I am especially weepy for the red `59 Impala four-door in the lower part of the stack.

Happily Ever After

2011-02-08T18:37:00.001-08:00

1969, originally uploaded by retro-space.

This wedding couple had their picture taken in 1969, next to their 14-year old crummy convertible.

Forty two years later, that crummy 1955 Bel Air ragtop would be worth an enormous amount of money in the same condition that you see here. I love this piece of history.

'59 Impala Ragtop

2010-11-12T21:12:00.001-08:00

'59 Impala ragtop, originally uploaded by mcwont.

Taken in Pleasanton CA at a GoodGuys Show, by the one-and-only Jeff McCann - noted motorcycle customizer and chopper parts guru. His photostream on Flickr is an amazing blend of contemporary color and historical artifacts.

Check it out!

1964 Pontiac On Fire

2010-10-14T21:58:00.001-07:00

Actual Demonstration by the Fire Department Training Station...01/1974, originally uploaded by The U.S. National Archives.

What a senseless waste of a Bonneville :(

This was used for fire training in Portland Oregon. Photo is part of the US National Archives. Description says:

"ACTUAL DEMONSTRATION BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TRAINING STATION SHOWING WHAT WOULD HAPPEN AFTER A REAR END ACCIDENT IF A FIVE GALLON CAN OF GASOLINE WAS CARRIED IN THE TRUNK OF AN AUTO (PICTURE NUMBER FOUR IN A SERIES OF SIX.), 01/1974"

Pretty Fins All In A Row

2010-09-29T06:20:00.001-07:00

1959 Cadillac Eldorados at the Cadillac Big Meet, originally uploaded by geraldloidl.

Looking at this photo from Austria, it's pretty clear that Europe loves a big Caddy. geraldloidl took this at the annual Cadillac BIG Meet, open to all Cadillacs around Europe.

Love those fins.

http://www.cadillac-bigmeet.com

Its Called Patina Yall

2010-09-23T12:14:00.001-07:00

WWH4468DSC_2986, originally uploaded by WWH Photography.

Tell you what: give me one of these over a new Silverado any day. It probably cost a lot less to build than a new truck too. There is something about an old pickup - dropped to the axles and covered with years of wear - that calls out to me harder than anything from the 21st century.

"It's called Patina, Y'all!"

`59 Brookwood in Miami

2010-09-19T11:46:00.001-07:00

Wagons have always been a favorite car of mine. And `59 wagons rate up there with Chevelle wagons for me. I love this one because it's two-tone, two-door, and too sweet.

Thanks for JohnnyHandsome for sending a pic of his righteous Brookwood from Florida!

`59 Impala in Havana Cuba

2010-09-06T08:05:00.001-07:00

the Havana stereotype, originally uploaded by paul.malon.

Much has been written about American cars in Cuba. The island is like a time capsule for US-built cars that were there before the 1959 revolution. The mechanics who keep them running are legendary for their skill. And the cars - at the youngest 50 years old - all carry a certain patina that says "Cuba." All combine to make an amazing place for car lovers.

paul.malon took this picture of a `59 Impala in 2009, along the narrow streets of "Old Havana." It's an actual film shot, scanned from the slide. Love it!

Best New Vehicle For Road Trip?

2010-07-29T15:27:00.000-07:00

On July 20th Car Domain asked a question -

What New Vehicle Would You Pick For a Cross-Country Road Trip?

Criteria was simple:

Car is yours to use for free, but you must pay for gas.
Must cost under $50,000

The blog writer took my first choice: the new Challenger. Dang. So I had to think, what else? Charger would be good, but not too original. As I looked through the comments from people, it was clear that many of them were posted merely to show each other how much they knew about cars. It's not my goal to impress someone with my car; I know what I like and, beyond that, I'm not interested in showing off. I wanted to think of a vehicle that fit me and how I travel.

It all came back to a truck.

As much as I like driving cars, I'm really a truck guy. The pickup I've owned for the last eight years felt like an old friend the first time I drove it. It has served me well, even after accruing miles into the six digits and spending time on the garage rack. I like the feel of rear wheel drive, powered by a V8, in a chassis that will take suburban abuse over several decades. These days, the only reasonably-priced way to get that is to buy a pickup.

So for my selection in the Car Domain survey, I chose the current version of my 1994 Chevy 1/2 ton:

2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Short bed / standard cab
"Imperial Blue Metallic" paint
LT Preferred Equipment Group (many options)
5.3 liter V8/6-speed automatic
20" Chrome-plated wheels

I chose a 3.08:1 ratio for the differential for freeway-friendly engine speeds, and a tonneau cover the for bed to protect those things that wouldn't fit in the cab. I would make two updates to what you see below. First, I would have the rig lowered and second, I would install dual-tip exhaust with some rumble. Estimated cost for all of that? About $35,000 - well within the $50k limit.

It's funny to think that my 'dream truck' so to speak is 35-grand. To be honest, I had to stretch it to even reach that amount. I added stuff to get the final price as close to $50k as I could, without turning it into a pimp-mobile. I also stayed away from four-wheel drive, a personal choice that understandably would get some disagreement. Balancing the added cost, added drive train weight, and complexity of 4WD in general, I simply couldn't justify it on a vehicle driven mostly on the open road. Maybe there would be some value in mountain passes during inclement weather, but that's inconsequential since a trip across the USA - for me at least - would occur during the summer.

What's your choice?

Sleeper - 1966 Chevy Biscayne

2010-07-22T05:44:00.001-07:00

GoodGuys All-American Get Together 2010, originally uploaded by daveparker.

At a car show, this is the kind of car that would usually get passed by in favor of a shiny Camaro. But these big overpowered Chevys are worth looking at. This one - if it's as stock as it looks - has a 396. Plenty of muscle to get it around. The "dog dish" hubcaps and blackwall tires give it the look of a car owned and driven by Grandma. "Sleeper" for sure.

So many `57 Chevys and Camaros (of any vintage) have survived the years and the miles. To find a `66 Biscayne and restore it to this level is a labor of love and a testament to someone's willingness to drive a different road.

1969 Charger

2010-06-06T22:01:00.001-07:00

, originally uploaded by MoStuff Sthlm.

Found on Flickr, courtesy MoStuff Sthlm - Until now, I thought I'd seen every angle of this well-documented car. But this view is new to me and merely strengthens the notion that I simply cannot get enough of looking at the 1969 Charger!